Reference-Volume Leak Detection for Large Sealed Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting fluid leakage in tank systems, such as those in motor vehicles, are inaccurate and unable to reliably quantify large leakages, leading to potential misdiagnoses and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular system that includes a sealed reference volume for diagnosis, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure ratios and temporal progressions, and a valve system for controlling pressure and flow, allowing for precise determination of leakage surface area with an accuracy of ±15% by measuring pressure drops in different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure drop measurement is used to determine leakage size in a tank system, then the leakage can be detected, but the measurement results lead to relatively inaccurate estimates of the leakage sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement process into two distinct phases: first measuring pressure drop in a small reference volume to characterize system compliance, then measuring pressure drop in the actual large tank volume. This segmentation allows separate characterization of system elasticity and actual leakage, enabling accurate leakage quantification that accounts for the compliance of the tank system.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact device is used for leakage detection, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to accurately detect and quantify leakage in large sealed volumes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a small reference volume as an intermediary element that serves as a calibration standard. By measuring pressure drop characteristics in this known small volume first, the system characterizes the compliance of the tank and measurement system. This intermediary measurement enables the subsequent large volume measurement to be accurately interpreted, allowing a compact device to achieve high measurement precision in large sealed volumes.
3Volume of stationary object
If the tank system has a large sealed volume, then the storage capacity is increased, but the accurate detection of leakage becomes more difficult with existing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements in a small reference volume before measuring the actual large tank volume. This preliminary action characterizes the compliance and pressure drop characteristics of the system, establishing a baseline that enables accurate interpretation of subsequent measurements in the large volume. This preliminary characterization is essential for accurately detecting and quantifying leakage in large sealed volumes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular system enables accurate detection and quantification of leakage surface area, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and ensuring reliable tank system tightness, and can be adapted for various applications beyond automotive use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure drop is measured in a volume which comprises the reference volume and the tank
Implementation Method 2
pressure can be generated inside the reference volume by means of the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A module (14) for detecting a leakage, comprising a pressure sensor (8) and a pump (2) for generating pressure, is characterized in that, regarding the object of detecting and/or quantifying a leakage of an arrangement which has a large sealed volume, in a reliable manner with a compact device, the module (14) has a sealable reference volume (11) which can be connected in terms of flow by means of a valve (9) to a tank connection (10) and which can be disconnected therefrom in a flow-tight manner, wherein the pressure inside the reference volume (11) can be detected by the pressure sensor (8), wherein pressure can be generated inside the reference volume (11) by means of the pump (2) and wherein the reference volume (11) can be connected in a flow-conducting manner by means of a shut-off valve (4) via a reference aperture (5) with a defined flow cross section to an atmosphere outlet (1) and can be disconnected therefrom.